COLUMBIA, S.C.- Today the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH)
announced the appointment of Stephen A. McLeod-Bryant, M.D. to the position of medical
director, effective August 20, 2001. In this role, Dr. McLeod-Bryant will be responsible for the
identification and implementation of psychiatric best practices and evidence-based models of
mental health care.

Among those divisions reporting to the medical director are Children and Families, Forensics,
Adult Services/Long Term Care, Alcohol and Drug Services, Health Services and the Behavioral
Disorders Treatment Program.

"The Department, our clients and their families are fortunate to have as medical director a leader
of Dr. McLeod-Bryant's stature,"said State Mental Health Director George P. Gintoli. "He has
the experience and the vision to help lead the Department of Mental Health into a new era in
behavioral health care for South Carolina."

Prior to his appointment with the SCDMH, Dr. McLeod-Bryant has been serving as vice-chair
for Clinical Affairs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Medical University
of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C. He earned both his bachelor's degree and his doctorate in
medicine from the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. He is a Diplomate, National Board
of Medical Examiners and a Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. Dr.
McLeod-Bryant and his wife, Aleta, have three children.

The SCDMH operates seven inpatient facilities and seventeen community mental health centers
around the State of South Carolina.